Signaling attachment for a linecasting machine



y 7, 1969 l SINNQTT 3,446,925

SIGNALING ATTACHMENT FOR A LINE-CASTING MACH Filed June 2, 1966 INE Sheet IN VENTOR Dav/0 J. Smworr May 27, 1969 D. J. SINNOTT 3,446,925

I SIGNALING ATTACHMENT FOR A LINE-CASTING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1966 Sheet 2 0: 2

Q7 7 INVENTOR.

0 we 1 Slower?- BYWW United States Patent 3,446,925 SIGNALING ATTACHMENT FOR A LINE- CASTING MACHINE David J. Sinnott, Ringwood, N.J., assignor to Powers &

Eaton Industries, Inc., South Hackensack, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 2, 1966, Ser. No. 554,704 Int. Cl. B4111 27/36 US. Cl. 200-52 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A signaling assembly for a line-casting machine having an assembler slide and an assembler slide scale comprises a switch assembly mounted on the assembler slide scale and a magnetic actuating assembly mounted on the assembler slide. The switch assembly has means slideable on the scale and supporting a justification switch on one side and a tight line switch on the other side. The magnetic actuating assembly has support means attached to the assembler slide to position the justification switch actuating member on one side of the scale and ahead of the tight line actuating member to produce justification and tight line signals to automatically indicate when the justification zone is reached and a tight line condition occurs.

Backgr und of the invention This invention relates to automatic operation of linecasting machines for determining by electrical means the entry of an assembly into a justification zone and the occurrence of a tight line condition.

In the automatic operation of line-casting machines from coded tape it is desirable to provide signals indicating the entry of the assemblage into a justification zone and a tight line condition. These signals operate electrical equipment to control linecasting machines. Present automatic equipment is operated by tape bearing coded indicia. The tape has indicia indicating the end of a justifiable assemblage. These are programmed tapes which are produced from an unprogrammed tape applied to apparatus simulating the operation of a line-casting machine. This limits the type formed from programmed tape to a given length of line. If the line-casting machine can be operated by an unprogrammed tape, the intermediate step of forming a programmed tape is eliminated and there is no limitation on the lengths of line that may be cast from the tape. In order for line-casting machines to be operated by electrical equipment controlled by unprogrammed tape it is necessary that commands are produced which turn the quadder light off, signal the entry into the justification zone and the occurrence of a tight line condition.

Summary of the invention A signaling attachment for a line-casting machine having a switch assembly with a justification switch means and a tight line switch means for mounting on an assembler slide scale and means for actuating the switch means mounted on the assembler slide on relative movement of the assembler slide scale on the assembler slide for indicating the entry into the justification zone and the end of an assemblage of matrices.

An object of the invention is to provide electrical attachment for a line-casting machine for creating signals indicating the terminating conditions of an assemblage of matrices.

Another object of the invention is to provide signaling means on a line-casting machine for automatically indicating when the justification zone is reached and when a tight line condition occurs.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious on an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a front view of the switch assembly and magnetic actuating assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the switch assembly and magnetic actuating assembly;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the magnetic actuating assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a combined magnetic and mechanical switch assembly;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a combined magnetic and cam actuating assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a combined magnetic and cam actuating assembly.

Detailed description in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the frame 10 of the line-casting machine is fragmentarily illustrated along with a right hand portion of a conventional assembler slide 11 and assembler slide scale 12. The assembler slide functions in its usual manner to set up the matrices, side bands, spaces, etc., and the assembler scale 12 functions to indicate the position of the assembler slide.

A switch assembly 13 is adjustably mounted on the slide scale and the magnetic actuating assembly 14 is fixedly mounted on the assembler slide to move and actuate the switch assembly when the assembler slide enters the justification zone and reaches a tight line condition.

The magnetic actuating assembly comprises a main member 15 having a mounting portion 16 extending at a right angle to the main member 15 and fixedly fastened to an arm 17 by screws 18. The arm 17 is fastened to the assembler slide 11 by the bolts 19. The arm 17 has a base portion 20 held by the bolts 19 to the slide 11 and a triangular portion 21 with a projection 22 at the apex end spaced from the base portion 20. The mounting portion 16 extends perpendicularly from the upper part of the main member 15 and is attached to the upper surface of the projection 22 so that the main member 15 extends perpendicular to the assembler slide 11 and is spaced therefrom, as illustrated.

A support 23 has a platelike mounting portion 24 attached to the slide 11 and extending parallel thereto. An L-shaped arm 25 extends from the platelike mounting portion 24 in a plane normal to the slide assembler 11 and fits in a slot 26 extending longitudinal to the main member along the lower portion thereof and perpendicular to the assembler slide 11 for receiving the L-shaped arm 25 Thus the main member 15 is rigidly supported in spaced relation to the assembler slide 11 and normal thereto. The main member is also positioned above the assembler slide scale 12 and extends normally thereacross.

At the end of the main member opposite from the assembler slide 11 and on the opposite side of the scale 12 from the assembler slide 11 there is a notch for receiving an actuating member 28 fitting in the notch underneath an upper overhanging portion 27 of the main body. The actuating member has a slot 28a extending parallel to the assembler slide and the assembler slide scale and normal to the main member 15. A bolt 29 fits through the slot 28a and is threaded into the main member 15 for adjustably holding the actuating member 28 in cooperation with the overhanging portion 27. The actuating member 28 has upper and lower spaced fingers 30 for holding cylindrical magnets 31 with the axes parallel to the plane of movement of the slide 11.

At the other end of the main member 15 there is a slot 32 extending parallel to the assembler slide 11 and normal to the main member 15 from the bottom of the main member 15. A rectangular shaped actuating member 33 slideably fits in the slot and is adjustably fastened to the main member 15 by a bolt 34 extending through the elongated opening 32 extending normal to the main member. The actuating member 33 has spaced fingers 36 for holdlng magnets 37 in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the assembler slide 11. Thus the magnets 31 and 37 are adjustable in a plane parallel to the assembler sllde 11.

At the center of the main member 15 there is a slot 40 for passing the assembler slide scale 12 through the main member. An adjustment screw 41 with a nut 42 mounted at the top of the main member 15 are threaded thereon to engage the assembler slide scale so that the magnetic unit moves with a minimum of friction and binding. At the top of the main member 15 slots 43 extend across the main member and parallel to the assembler slide and a U-shaped tight line stop 44 is pivotally mounted on pin 45. The open end of the tight line stop 44 has a resilient roller 47 which the switch assembly may engage.

The switch assembly 13 comprises a supporting block 50 having a rectangular shape and having a narrow width perpendicular to the assembler slide scale 12 and extending lengthwise along the assembler slide scale. The supporting block 50 has a longitudinally extending slot 51 to receive the assembler slide scale 12. A lock bar 52 is positioned in the slot 51 above the scale 12 and is fastened to the supporting block 50 by screws 50a. The lock bar 52 has a longitudinally extending slot 53 and an intermediate recess 54. Bolts 55 are threaded in the lock bar 52 and bear against the upper surface of the scale 12 to lock the switch unit in position on the scale 12.

A generally S-shaped support 56 is mounted on the side of the supporting block 50 opposite to the assembler slide 11 and the scale 12 to extend normal thereto and has a base portion 57 fitting in a groove 58 in the side of the supporting block and secured to the block by the screws 59. At the end of the S-shaped support spaced from the side of the supporting block 50 is a vertically extending member 60. A magnetic switch 61 is mounted on the side of the vertically extending member 60 facing the supporting block 50.

An opposing magnetic switch 62 is mounted on the side of the supporting block 50 in spaced relation to the magnetic switch 61. The magnetic switches 61 and 62 are positioned and spaced to permit the passage of the cylindrical magnets 31 on the magnetic unit between the switches 61 and 62 to actuate the switches. On the other side of the supporting block 50 is a third magnetic switch 63 extending normal to the slide scale 12 and positioned to be actuated by the cylindrical magnets 37. The switch 62 creates a signal indicating the entry into the justification zone and switch 63 produces a signal to indicate a tight line condition. The switch 61 controls the quadder light.

A bar 64 is mounted on the supporting block 50 at the end facing the magnetic unit and below the slide scale 12 and projects normal to the supporting block 50. The bar 64 is secured to the block 50 by the screws 65 threaded into the end of the block 50. The outer end of the bar 64 receives and supports a tube 66 which extends parallel to the slide scale 12.

Tube 66 is mounted in an L-shaped support 67 which is fastened by screws 68 to the L-shaped bracket 69 which is in turn adjustably mounted on the frame by the bolt 70 passing through the slot 71 in the bracket 69. A clamp 72 on the support 67 holds the tube 66 and the switch un1t in a given position.

Cables 73 and 74 extend through the tube 66 to connect the switching assembly 13 to the quadder manual control box (not shown) and to the autojustifier (not shown) which operates the line-casting machine from an unprogrammed pe.- The lower portion of the supporting block 50 has openings 77 and 78 for passing the cables 73 and 74 to the terminal block 79 mounted on the side of the block 50 facing the assembler slide 11. A pin 80 extending normal to the block 50 is provided on the same side to prevent the cover 81 from accidentally contacting the terminals 82. The switches 61, 62, 63 are connected to the cables 73, 74 through the terminals 82 on the terminal block 7 9.

The cover 81 is U-shaped in configuration and has a screw 83 with a bushing 84. The screw 83 is threaded into the lock bar 52 and rests against the top of the lock bar for securely holding the cover in place. Holes 85 are provided for the bolts 55. The sides 86 extending downwardly on opposite sides of the supporting block 50 house and protect the magnetic switches and cables.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6 the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. This embodiment is identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 except that the magnetic justification and tight line switches 62 and 63 have been replaced by the justification and tight line leaf switches 90 and 91. The magnetic quadder switch 61 is not changed.

The actuating member 33 is replaced by a brass cam actuating member 92. The cam actuating member 92 has a curved surface forming a tapered tip 93. The leaf switches are of a, standard type with resilient conductive contacts 94 and 95a, 95b extending towards the actuating assembly. The curved surface of the tapered tip 93 engages the contact 94 and presses the contacts together. The actuating member 92 is fastened to the member 15 by the bolts 34 in the same manner as member 33.

On the other side of the actuating assembly the actuating member 28 has an L-shaped brass cam actuator 96 mounted on the inner side. Bolts 97 secure the actuator in place. The forward end of the actuator 96 has a curved surface forming a tapered tip 98. The switch 90 is similar to switch 91 and has resilient contacts 99 and 10011, 10012. The curved surface of the tapered tip 98 engages the switch 90 to force the two contacts into engaging relation. The magnets 31 actuate the magnetic switch.

The setting of the switch assembly and actuating assembly of both embodiments will be considered. On the line-casting machine the jaws are set at the desired space, such as twenty-one picas. The finger on the line-casting assembly is set to the last pica. In this instance it is the twenty-first pica. The actuating members 28 land 33 of the first embodiment and 28 and 92 of the second embodiment are set to the extreme right against the main member 15. The switching assembly on the assembler slide scale 12 is also moved to the extreme right and bears against the roller 47 on the tight line stop. The bolts 55 aie tightened to lock the switching assembly firmly in p ace.

The finger on the line-casting assembly is then moved to the left to a twenty pica position. This is one pica less than the required line length. The actuating member 33 or 92 is moved to the left until either the switch 63 or 91 is actuated either by the magnets 37 or by the tapered tip 93, depending upon the embodiment used. The actuation of this tight line switch creates a tight line signal which turns a tight line light on. The finger on the line-casting machine is moved an additional two picas to the left, to the eighteen pica position. The actuating member 30 is moved to the left until the quadder 61 is actuated by the magnets 31 (both embodiments) to turn the quadder light normally ON to OFF.

The justification switch 62 in the magnetic assembly embodiment is actuated, or the switch 90 in the cam actuated embodiment is closed to provide a signal turning the justified region light on. The quadder switch 61 and the justification switches 62 or 90 are related in actuation so that the quadder light is turned off just before the justification region light is turned on. There are three magnets 31 corresponding to the pica positions 18 to 20. There are two magnets 37 corresponding to the pica positions and 21. Thus the switches 61, 62 are closed for the pica positions 18, 19 and 20 and the switch 63 is closed for the pica positions 20 and 21.

The various holding bolts are secured tightly in place and the iinger is returned to the desired line length, which in this instance is the twenty-one pica position. The actuating assembly is set for providing a justification signal and a tight line signal. It the line length is changed, then the switching assembly can be moved on the assembler slide scale to a position corresponding to the new line length.

It is thus seen that the switch assembly 13 is readily mounted on the assembler slide scale 12 and the actuating assembly is readily mounted on the assembler slide without any material change to the line-casting machine. Thus the signaling attachment is readily adaptable to present designs.

Although the relation of the switch and actuating assembly has been described in connection with twentyone pica position, it is of course understood that it may be used with other line lengths. In actual operation the switch assembly remains stationary and the actuating assembly moves with the assembler slide as the matrices are dropped into position. Near the end of the line the leading magnet 31 or the cam 96 actuates the justification switch 62 or 90 and the quadder switch 61 to provide a signal signaling the entry of the matrices into the justification zone and to turn the quadder light off. The cam or subsequent magnets maintain this condition of the switches 61 and 62 for the subsequent matrices that are dropped. The switches 61 and 62 are connected to automated electronic controls for actuating the components to be responsive to the completion of a justifiable line or to an unjustifiable line. The switch 63 is actuated by leading magnet 37 which is related to the leading magnet 31 so as to lag by a number of matrices constituting the justification zone. The leading magnet 37 actuates the switch 63 or 91 to provide a signal to automation equipment that the end of the line has been reached and unless a word or syllable is completed on the last matrix, the line is not justifiable. This means a tight line condition is present. The last matrix is dropped when the second magnet 37 is positioned at the switch 63. This last matrix may or may not result in a justifiable line and the automation equipment determines from the nature of the matrix dropped whether or not the line is justifiable.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a line-casting machine having an assembler slide and an assembler slide scale a signaling attachment comprising a support means slideably mounted on said assembler slide scale and having fastening means for securing said support means at a given location, justification and tight line switches on said support means'for producing electrical signals, actuating means mounted on said assembler slide and moving with said assembler slide for actuating said switches for indicating the entry into the justification zone and the end of the assemblage.

2. In a signaling attachment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a U-sh'aped member having a supporting block positioned underneath the assembler slide scale and side pieces extending on opposite sides of said assembler slide scale and therea'bove, a lock bar positioned between and fastened to said side pieces for slideably securing said support means on said assembler slide scale, said justification switch being mounted on one side of said support means and said tight line switch being mounted on the other side of said support means, and said actuating means having actuating members on opposite sides of said assembler slide scale for actuating a respective switch.

3. In a signaling attachment as set forth in claim 2 wherein said actuating means has a main member extending transversely across said assembler slide scale and having adjustable fastening means for securing said actuating members to said main member for adjusting the relation of the actuation of said justification switch and said tight line switch.

4. In a signaling attachment as set forth in claim 3 wherein said justification and tight line switches are of the magnetic type and said actuating members include magnets for actuating said switches.

5. In a signaling attachment was set forth in claim 3 wherein said justification and tight line switches are of the resilient leaf type and said actuating members are cam members engaging said springs respectively.

6. In a signaling attachment as set forth in claim 3 wherein a first mounting member is secured to said assembler slide and extends transversely to said assembler slide scale and a second mounting member is secured to said assembler slide and extends longitudinally to said assembler slide scale to provide a longitudinal and transverse support for said main member.

7. A signaling attachment for a line-casting machine having an assembler slide and an assembler slide scale comprising a support means having a supporting block with parallel spaced side pieces extending from said block for fitting on an assembler slide scale and a lock bar positioned between and fastened to said side pieces for securing the suplport thereto, justification and tight line switches mounted on opposite sides of said support, an actuating means having a main member positionable transversely to the assembler slide scale and having two actuating members mounted on opposite ends of said main member for sequentially actuating said switches to indicate entry into the justification zone and completion of the assembly.

8. A switch assembly for use in a line-casting machine comprising justification switch means, tight line switch means, means for mounting said justification switch means and said tight line switch means on a line-casting machine with said tight line switch means spaced from said justification switch means for actuation by different means.

9. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said tight line switch means are positioned forwardly of said justification switch means.

10. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 8 'wherein quadder switch means is provided on said mounting means substantially opposite said justification switch means.

11. A switch assembly as claimed in claim -8 wherein said justification switch means and said tight line switch means are magnetic switches.

'12. A switch assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said justification switch means and said tight line switch means are leaf switches.

13. A switch actuating assembly for a line-casting machine to actuate :a justification switch and a tight line switch on relative movement in a given 'direction comprising a frame, a tight line switch, actuating means therefor adjustably mounted on said frame in the direction of relative movement, a justification switch, actuating means therefor adjustably mounted on said frame in the direction of relative movement for varying the spacing between the actuation of a justification switch and a tight line switch.

14. A switch actuating assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said actuating means comprises at least one magnet.

15. A switch actuating assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said actuating means comprises a plurality of magnets.

16. A switch actuating assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein each of said actuating means comprises cams.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1941 Bendorff 199-18 2/1951 Rhodes 199-51 3,245,521 4/1966 Rossetto et a1. 199-18 3,308,932 3/1967 Debus et a1. 19918 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

5 H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

